Foxglove Farm

by Christie Barlow

  ‘Something isn’t right Gran,’ said Isla in a hushed whisper. ‘There’s movement in the field and we can see torch lights,’ her voice faltered.

  ‘It might be something or nothing,’ added Fergus, making a vain attempt to keep everything calm. ‘Rory and Alfie are on their way over. I’ve told them to cut round the back, through Heartwood Cottage instead of up the main drive.’

  Martha stared at Fergus. ‘You are thinking it’s more something than nothing if you’ve called for back-up. Shouldn’t we be calling the police?’

  ‘The police have been called.’

  ‘So, it is something more than nothing. I’ll put the kettle on,’ said Martha, switching the light on.

  ‘Gran! Turn the light off now. We don’t want to draw attention to the fact we’re up,’ insisted Isla in a frantic whisper before launching herself towards the switch faster than Usain Bolt sprinting the hundred metres.

  Martha put her hands up and mouthed ‘Sorry.’ Then she asked, ‘What do you think they are after?’

  ‘The alpacas,’ said Isla and Fergus in unison.

  Martha’s eyes widened as their words registered, but before she could reply Fergus’s phone vibrated.

  ‘It’s Rory, they’re here.’

  The door opened and Rory and Alfie sidled through the door like a couple of burglars.

  ‘Where’s Nate?’ asked Isla, her eyes wide.

  Rory and Alfie exchanged a glance, ‘He’s gone, there’s no trace of him in the house.’

  ‘So, all this has something to do with him,’ exclaimed Isla, feeling foolish that she’d given him a job on the farm.

  ‘Surely not. He seemed a decent young man,’ added Martha in utter amazement.

  Something caught Fergus’s eye, and he put his finger to his lips to hush everyone, then forcefully pulled Isla to the floor where she landed on her bum. She stifled her urge to yell. The others crouched too and waited.

  Through the kitchen window flashed a torch light. Isla prayed with all her might that they didn’t try the farmhouse door and screwed her eyes up tight as she forced herself to breathe. All she could think about was keeping her sleeping boys safe.

  Two silhouettes were lingering outside the window. Isla’s heart was racing. Fergus was watching from the corner of the window. ‘They are moving away.’

  ‘What’s that noise?’ Isla asked, as a slow rumbling started up. Everyone strained to hear.

  Rory edged his way next to Fergus and carefully glanced out. ‘It’s a van, there’s a bloody van coming up the drive, but the lights are switched off.’

  ‘Is it safe to look?’ asked Isla.

  ‘I think so,’ answered Rory as the others joined him.

  ‘We need to move quickly. Where are the damn police? Ring them back and go and wake Drew. Isla … Martha … you stay here,’ instructed Rory with authority.

  ‘I’m not staying here, I’m coming with you,’ insisted Isla.

  ‘This really isn’t the time for an argument, Isla.’

  ‘So don’t argue with me.’

  Martha had already picked up the phone and was telephoning the police. She put her hand over the receiver, ‘I’ll wake Drew.’

  Fergus nodded as they moved quickly towards the door. He lowered his voice, ‘We’ll head down to the field behind the barn.’

  They all nodded and followed Fergus in single file in complete silence. Isla was right behind him with Rory and Alfie bringing up the rear.

  They walked swiftly, gathering behind the ponies’ shelter at the far end of the field.

  ‘Look,’ pointed Alfie. ‘There’s someone over there.’

  Fergus squinted, ‘It looks like there are at least four of them.’

  ‘And there’s someone sat behind the wheel of the van.’

  The driver’s door was open and the guy lit up a cigarette and threw the match on to the ground.

  ‘I think you should go back, Isla,’ said Fergus, clearly concerned for her safety.

  ‘I’m staying put,’ Isla replied, feeling fury, her voice defiant, even though she was terrified.

  ‘They’re herding up the alpacas,’ whispered Alfie.

  The torch lights were bouncing up and down the field and the sound of the men’s voices was muffled.

  Blinking through the darkness, Fergus tapped Isla’s arm, ‘Look.’

  ‘Nate,’ Isla breathed, not wanting to believe it.

  There he was, standing in the middle of the field, waving to the rest of the gang to lead the alpacas into the back of the van.

  Isla repositioned herself, her eyes had refocused in the darkness and she could see him clearly now. ‘I’m going to bloody kill him. How dare he?’ Rage enveloped her whole body.

  Fergus lunged forward but it was too late, Isla was already sprinting towards the gang.

  ‘Isla, stop!’ instructed Rory through gritted teeth.

  Isla heard footsteps behind her as Fergus rugby tackled her, bringing her to the ground with a bump. She yelped.

  For a second, the torch lights swung round in their direction.

  ‘Do not move,’ said Rory in a hushed whisper. With bated breath, they waited, their hearts hammering against their chests.

  They could hear the men talking and the driver was on his mobile. Even though they couldn’t hear the conversation they could tell the man was irate, as he kept throwing his hand up into the air.

  ‘Now what?’ asked Rory as Fergus led Isla back to them.

  ‘The police should be here by now.’ A knot of anxiety clutched Isla’s stomach. ‘We can’t just stand here and watch them load the alpacas into the van. We need to do something.’ She looked exasperated.

  ‘Nate’s moving,’ whispered Alfie. ‘Look, where’s he going?’

  ‘Towards the stable, he’s taking the baby … Nate knows the baby’s worth.’ Isla was distraught. ‘Please do something … he can’t take her.’

  ‘Fergus, you head towards the main entrance with Isla and shut the gates, that’ll slow them down. Alfie, you come with me to the stable,’ instructed Rory. ‘And stay low.’

  ‘I’m staying put,’ insisted Isla, already heading towards the stable block in the pitch black, quickly followed by Rory and Alfie.

  They peered round the side of the barn and watched in silence as Nate disappeared inside. They followed him. Nate unhooked two pony harnesses from the tack area and headed straight towards the mother alpaca and her baby.

  ‘He’s got a damn cheek,’ said Isla, taking a furtive glance from behind the wall.

  Despite knowing they should wait for the police, Isla’s instincts kicked in. ‘There’s three of us … you stay back.’

  Before the boys could object, Isla stepped out of the darkness. ‘Hi Nate,’ she said, sounding as friendly as she could under the circumstances.

  Nate spun round, looking alarmed.

  ‘Sorry if I startled you. I’m just here to check on mother and baby. Earlier she seemed a bit under the weather.’ Isla swallowed hard and tried to act as normal as possible. Her hands were sweaty and she could feel her pulse throbbing in the side of her head as she tried to keep her breathing steady.

  Nate look like a startled rabbit caught in headlights.

  ‘What are you doing here this time of night? What’s with the harnesses?’ Isla nodded towards his hand.

  They locked eyes. Nate was silent.

  Suddenly, the stable door burst open and sirens could be heard in the background. Drew was standing in the doorway. ‘The police are on their way.’

  Nate lunged forward and Rory stepped out of the wings. Nate threw a punch at Rory, knocking him off balance. Stumbling, Rory tried to throw a punch back but landed with a bump on the ground. Alfie stepped out into the gangway and Nate looked startled, picking up a shovel resting against the stable door. Alfie put his hands in the air. ‘Don’t do anything daft, mate.’

  Nate stared at him with a look of anger and took a slow step towards Alfie just as Isla ran at him from behind and pushe
d him with all her might. ‘You bastard!’ she screamed. Nate lost his grip on the shovel and swung round.

  ‘You step away from Isla,’ ordered Rory, dodging a blow from Nate as Alfie grabbed the shovel and Nate made a run for it. Drew tried to swipe him with his crutch as Nate stormed past, but it didn’t hinder him. He disappeared into the darkness.

  ‘Scum,’ bellowed Rory after him as Alfie held him back.

  The blue flashing lights reflected off the farmhouse windows, and shouting could be heard in the field.

  ‘Let the police take care of it now,’ said Alfie, letting go of Rory’s coat.

  Isla ran straight into the arms of Drew, she was shaking. Tears stung her eyes. ‘He nearly took them.’

  Drew hugged his wife, ‘And what are you doing tackling him? He’s dangerous … and where is Fergus?’ asked Drew, looking around.

  Just at that second, they heard the sound of screeching tyres and they all hurried out into the courtyard.

  They saw three police cars surrounding the field, the headlights shining directly at the rustlers.

  ‘Look,’ Alfie pointed. Three men were sitting in the front of the van, its engine revving.

  Drew snagged a look around the field, ‘Where’s Nate?’ he asked.

  ‘No idea,’ answered Rory.

  The commotion from the field carried in the wind.

  ‘Can anyone see Fergus?’ asked Drew.

  ‘I’m here, mate,’ Fergus tapped Drew on his back.

  ‘Thank God.’

  ‘They were definitely after the alpacas. Is the baby safe?’ asked Fergus.

  ‘Yes, mother and baby are safe … but Nate is AWOL …’

  They watched in silence as the police officers gathered at the side of the field. One was talking into his radio and another began walking towards them.

  ‘Drew Allaway?

  ‘That’s me?

  ‘Is there another way out of this field?’

  ‘Only if you want to swim the river.’

  The officer nodded his understanding and returned to his colleagues.

  All of them watched on helplessly as the officers shouted instructions between themselves.

  ‘Are the alpacas in the back of the van?’ asked Isla, taking an uncertain look and feeling sick to her stomach.

  ‘I’m afraid so,’ Drew couldn’t hide the worry in his voice.

  Isla buried her face into Drew’s shoulder.

  ‘Oh my God … the van is moving … they are going to drive through the fence,’ Drew’s voice was manic.

  Isla looked up and they watched in horror as the van’s wheels spun and kicked up mud. It began hurtling towards the fence, slipping and sliding. The men inside were being tossed around. Within seconds the van crashed through the fence, only slowing for a second, splintered wood resting on the bonnet, before it began to pick up speed again, skidding on the gravel of the drive.

  ‘They’re going to escape,’ stated Alfie.

  All eyes were fixed on the van.

  ‘Please stop them … please stop them,’ frantically muttered Isla, jumping out of her skin as a horrific sound echoed all around, the grating of metal. The van had been brought to a halt by a stinger, a spiked metal ribbon placed across the drive by the police. The van tyres were punctured, and the van came to an abrupt halt.

  The doors were flung open and the men took their chance in running. But the police took chase and the criminals were soon pulled to the ground, all were handcuffed and escorted to the police car.

  ‘Nate’s still out there somewhere,’ said Isla. ‘Where is he?’

  Fergus hurried towards the officers, ‘There’s still one out there … somewhere.’

  One policeman began to talk into his radio whilst another addressed Drew. ‘Are we able to go inside?’

  Drew nodded, and they made their way back towards the farmhouse where Martha was waiting anxiously.

  ‘Is anyone hurt?’ she asked, the second the door opened.

  ‘We are all fine, don’t worry Martha,’ reassured Drew. ‘Rory and Alfie are just coming.’

  Right on cue, they walked through the door.

  ‘Oh my, your face is cut,’ said Martha, looking alarmed. ‘I’ll get you something to put on it.’

  ‘Honestly, I’m fine,’ said Rory, not wanting any fuss.

  ‘I watched it all through the window – it was like something off the TV. I’ll put the kettle on, tea is always good in a crisis.’ Martha busied herself while the policeman positioned himself at the kitchen table. Everyone else pulled out a chair.

  There was a knock on the back door, and everyone looked up as another policeman popped his head around the door. ‘The alpacas can be released from the van.’

  Rory stood up, ‘Hold my tea Martha, I’ll go and check them over.’

  Drew gave Rory a grateful nod. ‘Thanks, mate.’

  Martha hurried over with a pot of tea and placed it on the table, followed by a plate of chocolate biscuits.

  ‘I’m Constable Williams from the rural crime team. What a night,’ he looked around the table at all the worn-out, stressed-out faces.

  ‘There’s still a man out there,’ Drew was irate and pointed towards the door.

  ‘My men are looking for him now. He can’t get far. There’s only one way in and one way out of Heartcross, unless he fancies taking his chances over the mountain pass. And we are doing everything to make sure the man is caught and arrested, Mr Allaway,’ reassured Constable Williams. ‘These rustlers are professionals. They know what they are looking for and the value of your stock.’

  ‘That man turned up out of nowhere and tried to make himself indispensable in our lives,’ Isla felt maddened.

  ‘Have you got a name?’ asked the officer, poising his pen on his open notebook.

  ‘Nate …’

  ‘Does this Nate have a surname?’

  Isla shrugged and looked towards the others. No-one answered.

  ‘How could I have been so stupid,’ Isla exhaled and rubbed her face in her hands. Martha squeezed her shoulder.

  Constable Williams looked around the table. ‘Don’t beat yourself up about it. Like I said, these type of men know what they are doing. They use their charm and prey on innocent people. You’re decent people. Why wouldn’t you see the good in someone?’

  Isla’s statement to the police took forty-five minutes and she felt battered by the end of it. Drew reached over and pulled her in for a hug. ‘We have the herd and Rory will make sure they aren’t traumatised, and mother and baby are both safe in the stable.’

  Isla nodded.

  ‘In the last few months rustling has been on the increase again. One hundred and fifty sheep were stolen just under a week ago from Young’s Farm, over in Glensheil,’ informed Constable Williams.

  ‘We know it,’ said Drew.

  ‘White-faced Lleyn and black-faced North of England Mules. It’s on the increase … animals snatched by thieves during the last year was a huge cost to farmers … 6.6 million pounds. It’s a lucrative steal if you get away with it.’

  Fergus let out a low whistle.

  ‘But I have to admit, alpacas are a new one on us,’ said Constable Williams.

  ‘That prize-winning herd out there is worth more than any ewes,’ chipped in Drew.

  ‘From what you’ve told me, Isla, they’ve targeted you and Foxglove Farm for a reason. They knew the alpacas were here.’

  ‘We think the alpacas are the stolen herd from Clover Farm,’ blurted Isla.

  ‘You’ve lost me now,’ said the constable. ‘Are you saying the herd out there is the herd from …’ He flicked back through his notebook.

  ‘James Kerr’s farm. I handed over cash to a man who called in the teashop trying to sell them.’ As soon as the words came out of her mouth, she shook her head in disbelief, it sounded so far-fetched. No wonder Drew had been mad at her. She hadn’t thought it through at all.

  ‘Is that the usual practice for purchasing livestock, Mrs Allaway?’
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br />   Isla shamefully shook her head, ‘No, I just didn’t think. Oh my God, it makes sense now.’ Her eyes widened, and she tapped Drew’s arm.

  Everyone looked towards Isla.

  ‘Nate looking irate on his phone. The alpacas were being sheared tomorrow.’

  Drew looked puzzled, ‘And?’

  ‘Nate needed to steal the alpacas tonight. Whether he ended up working here by accident or whether he was planted here, my guess is, he knew the bloke that sold them to me. I hand the money over, they steal them back and no doubt do it all over again with another farmer. But if those alpacas were sheared tomorrow, just think of all the money they would have lost from the fleeces. They needed to move quickly.’

  ‘And Nate knew that he needed to steal the alpacas tonight, because he heard us say Pete had changed the time. If the alpacas had lost their coats, that would have been thousands lost.’ Drew shook his head in disbelief.

  ‘Do you know where this …’ Constable Williams looked towards his notepad. ‘Nate … any clue to where he’s from?’

  Isla shrugged, ‘Your guess is as good as ours. For all we know it might not even be his real name, and he spoke with an Irish accent … maybe he put that on too.’

  Drew rubbed his face with his hands and sighed.

  Constable Williams’ radio began to crackle, and everyone looked up. He pressed down the button, ‘Go ahead.’

  ‘We’ve picked up the suspect on the bridge heading towards Glensheil, carrying a black holdall.’

  Everyone let out a cheer.

  ‘We are taking him to the station now.’

  Constable Williams was still talking into his radio as Isla hugged Drew again. ‘Thank God,’ she said, feeling relieved.

  The door opened and Rory walked in, ‘What’s going on?’

  ‘Nate’s been caught on the bridge.’

  Rory exhaled, ‘I hope they throw the book at him.’

  ‘Let’s hope so,’ said Martha, handing Rory a steaming mug of tea which he gratefully accepted.

  ‘And in other news,’ continued Rory, ‘the alpacas are all safe and well. I’ve let them out in the far field, where all fences seem to be intact.’

  ‘Thanks Rory, you’re a superstar,’ said Isla.